







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| By the way, the deposit is £3,000 and non-negotiable... | |
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | |
| I hope your friends don't mind. | |
| But everybody calls him Rocco. | |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | |
| Because you are in it. | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| So I want to cook as much as I can now. | |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | |
| Is that you, Mike? | |
| But which button? It doesn't show which controls which! | |
| I think we need to put some of your clothes away. | |
| And now we've got plenty of mushrooms left to use. | |
| Yes, he definitely doesn't like changing places. | |
| I only have 3 hours today. | |
| What's wrong with him? | |
| No, they live in Australia. | |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | |